[Malaria cases in Malatya during the past seven years]

Malaria can be seen in every region inhabited by human blood-sucking Anopheles and species of disease-causing Plasmodium. Since the region is on the crossroads of other cities where malaria is more widespread and it has a population of seasonal workers and an increasing number of tourists during the summer, additional imported cases may also be detected in the Malatya region. The aim of this study was to determine the state of malaria for the past seven years in Malatya. According to the records of the Malaria Control Unit of the Health Directorate of the Malatya province, 189 positive patients were reported during the seven years from 1999-2005. Of these cases, 186 (98.4%) were P. vivax, while 3 (1.6%) were imported cases of P. falciparum malaria. The rate of positivity was found to be 58.2% in male patients and 41.8% in female patients. Consequently, malaria can be said to persist as a health problem in Malatya region. It was concluded that people in the region should be informed about malaria and the ways to protect themselves.